Chapter 18: Hardy's Brothers

A farm in Burbank.

Hardy's car pulled up outside, and a farmer came out to investigate. He looked at Hardy and Richard with curiosity.

"Who are you looking for?"

"We're here to see Henry. We contacted him by phone earlier," Hardy explained.

The farmer nodded.

"I'll take you to him."

The three walked into the bullpen. Henry, dressed in jeans and heavy rain boots, was wading through cow dung. Upon hearing the commotion, he looked up and saw Hardy and Richard. He tossed aside his fork and came over with a smile.

"Hadi, Richard!"

Henry ran over, giving Hardy and then Richard a hearty hug.

"It's great to see you."

Hardy grinned and said, "Ready to come with us now?"

Henry snapped to attention with a playful salute.

"Reporting in, Sergeant Hardy, Henry is ready to go!"

Henry said goodbye to the farmer, packed his things into the car, and waved farewell to the rancher.

"Old Logan, I'm off to Los Angeles."

The rancher waved back. "Good luck, Henry. You're a young man with a bright future."

On the drive,

Hardy asked Henry, "Do you know where Madman is? I couldn't reach him on the phone."

Henry smiled wryly. "Madman's in prison right now."

Madman's real name is Matthew Settle. He earned his nickname for his fierce fighting style.

Hardy was surprised. "What happened?"

"He got into a fight with another truck driver two months ago. You know how Madman is—he doesn't hold back. He was supposed to get bail, but he doesn't have the money for it. He could be facing one or two years."

"How much for bail?" Hardy asked.

"Two thousand dollars."

Two thousand dollars is a significant amount, equivalent to ten months' salary for an average worker. Most Americans don't save much, so Matthew can't afford the bail.

"Which prison?" Hardy inquired.

"San Marinos Prison."

Hardy hit the steering wheel and drove toward the prison. A few hours later, they met Matthew in the visiting room.

Matthew was surprised to see them. "Boss Hardy, Henry, Richard! Why are you all here?"

Hardy slipped a ten-dollar bill to the guard, who turned away. He handed Matthew a cigarette, which Matthew lit and puffed on gratefully.

"How's prison life? Been mistreated?" Hardy asked with a smile.

Matthew laughed, his pride evident. "When I first arrived, a few guys tried to bully me, but they got a beating. Since then, I've had no problems. I eat well, sleep well, and have a few guys looking out for me."

Hardy nodded. "I was planning to bail you out, but it seems unnecessary now."

Matthew's expression shifted. He grabbed Hardy's hand. "Boss, do you have the bail money? Get me out of here."

"You're comfortable here?" Henry asked, amused.

"Not as much as being outside," Matthew admitted.

After leaving the prison, Hardy handed two thousand dollars to Henry. "You handle the bail. I need to find someone else."

"Don't worry, Boss. I'll have Madman out in three days."

"Who's next?" Richard asked.

"Cannonball."

Cannonball, whose real name is Neil MacDonald, was another former team member. He was known for his expertise with explosives—detonators, grenades, and mines.

They found Neil's home using the address. Neil opened the door, surprised to see Hardy and Richard. He embraced them warmly.

Inside, the house was modest and somewhat worn. A woman emerged, looking young but pale.

"This is my wife, Jenny," Neil introduced.

Jenny greeted Hardy and Richard. "Neil, your friends are here. I'll make some coffee." She coughed violently.

"Jenny, you should rest. I'll handle it," Neil said, guiding her away.

Neil soon returned with coffee. Hardy asked, "What's wrong with Jenny?"

"She has tuberculosis," Neil explained, visibly distressed.

Hardy was taken aback. "Is there no treatment available?"

Neil nodded. "The doctor says she needs penicillin, but it's too expensive for us."

Penicillin, introduced in 1942, was costly and out of reach for many. Even later, its price could ruin a family's finances.

Hardy thought for a moment. "Neil, you know why I'm here."

"Of course, Boss Hardy. I want to join you, but I need to care for Jenny," Neil said quietly.

"It's not right to let her condition go untreated," Hardy said.

Neil felt frustrated but didn't know what to do. Hardy proposed, "Let's take Jenny to Los Angeles and find a hospital. I'll help with the expenses."

Neil agreed after a moment's consideration. "Okay, let's go to Los Angeles."

They drove to the Murphy Clinic. Dr. Murphy examined Jenny and said that while her condition was serious, penicillin could help. However, the cost was very high.

"We'll find a way to cover the costs. Please do everything you can," Hardy said.

Dr. Murphy left, and a nurse approached. "Mr. Hardy, we need a thousand-dollar deposit for treatment."

Hardy was short on cash. After paying for Matthew's bail, he had only a few hundred dollars left.

He left and returned an hour later with the deposit.

Neil noticed Hardy's missing gold watch. "Hadi, where's your watch?"

Hardy smiled. "Watches are just decorations. I found a place to store it. The important thing is that Jenny gets the care she needs."

Neil was deeply moved but stayed silent.

With Jenny settled, Neil asked Hardy, "What's next?"

Hardy smiled and patted Neil on the shoulder. "Wait for Henry and Madman to join us. I'll take you and Richard to see someone else in this hospital."

"Who?"

"Bill."

When they entered Bill's room, he was propped up in bed, enjoying fruit fed to him by a nurse.

Bill's eyes lit up. "Richard, Cannonball, you're here!"

The three sat down and caught up. Hardy said, "I've found Richard and Cannonball. Henry and Madman will arrive in three days. I'm looking for two more friends, Lee and Kerry, who are nearby. They'll join us tomorrow."

"When we're all together, we won't have to fear the Irish gangs anymore."

Bill praised Hardy. "You've done a great job gathering everyone so quickly. We'll take those guys down."

Hardy looked at Bill. "Get better soon. We need you fighting alongside us when you're out of the hospital."

Bill chuckled. "I'll be ready. We'll stand together and take them down."